Cardiac Impedance Measurement for Improved Hemodynamic Monitoring - CIMI

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Steffen Leonhardt
• Subject Area: Biomedical Systems Technology ; Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 452009371

In this project, we propose to establish intracardial bioimpedance measurements integrated on a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to monitor the blood volume changes and the volumetric flows in the heart. Therefore, we want to focus on flow conditions occurring during the support with a VAD and pathological changes of the heart suffering from advanced heart failure. We wish to investigate if and how much the accuracy of intracardial impedance monitoring can be approximated by improved finites element modelling. We speculate that improved intracardial impedance monitoring can be a proper surrogate parameter for ventricular volume in this therapeutic setting. Furthermore, we speculate that monitoring of left ventricular volume and aortic flow will allow optimization of VAD operating parameter settings and may improve the quality of life of patients. Finally, adverse events can be determined and the adaptation to various loading conditions enables an individual treatment for the patient.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants